Sounders FC’s busy offseason continued Wednesday as midfielder Mauro Rosales was traded to Chivas USA for the rights to forward Tristan Bowen and the No. 2 spot in the allocation order.

Chivas USA moves back to Seattle’s No. 13 spot in the allocation order.

Seattle had already declined a contract option on Rosales, and the 32-year-old Argentine was set to go into the MLS Re-Entry Draft starting Thursday. In three years with the Sounders, he had 17 game-winning assists, a franchise best. Rosales also ranks fifth in MLS history collecting 0.50 assists per 90 minutes (minimum of 20 assists).

“Mauro has been an important part of our organization, both on and off the field, for the past three years,” said Adrian Hanauer, part owner and general manager, in a news release. “It will be difficult to see him leave, but our salary cap situation made this decision necessary. We wish Mauro the very best at Chivas.”

Bowen, 22, signed with MLS five years ago as a homegrown player with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He has played the past three seasons with Chivas USA, and he set career highs this past season with 22 appearances and 15 starts, earning two goals with two assists. You might remember his older brother, Travis, was in camp with the Sounders in preseason.

A Los Angeles native, Bowen has played for the U-18 and U-20 U.S. national teams. He spent some time in the Belgian second division in the 2011-12 European season.

Certainly the No. 2 spot in the allocation order (the mechanism for returning USMNT players) looks like it will add some value for the Sounders later on.

Here is Rosales in the Chivas USA news release: “Chivas is the team that has trusted me to help with what I’ve done in my last club, Seattle. Obviously I’m grateful for that confidence, and what the team is giving and betting on for next season.”

“What [Chivas] wants to have next season is a great team and to get to the playoffs, which is something that everyone wants.”